Chapter 17 of MSU

Disclaimer: Naruto: I belong to Sasuke Uchiha.

Chapter 17

Naruto sniffled hard into Tsunade's embrace. "Relax Naruto, calm down."

"But you sent him away… and I need him."

"You need to focus on your strength. The Akatsuki isn't going to wait for you to stop needing Sasuke before they attack. This is a serious war, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Hey, I got you something," Jiraiya shuffled in the pack over his shoulder, "It's meant to cheer you up." He presented the blonde with a small plain book."

"Reading smut won't cheer me up." He mumbled.

"It's not. Just take it, our trip will be long and you will be bored at some point in time."

Naruto raised his head from Tsunade's shoulders, "Whatever." He reached out and accepted the book.

"Well, I'm off to get ready for tomorrow. Tell everybody that I'll miss them." He rubbed at his eyes then turned towards the door. He could hardly believe that Sasuke was gone. It was like a very bad dream.

"Hey, brat?" Tsunade stopped him by grabbing his shirt. "I love you Naruto, and I'm only doing what I know is best for you. You will be a great Hokage when you return. I won't stay a day longer than necessary. And when that time comes, Sasuke and all your other friends will stand by you." The honey eyed woman sighed. "At the rate of how fast things are moving along, we Kages predict that a war will be waiting for us just beyond the horizon. Naruto, you – you don't even know how much you mean to me…" Naruto turned to look at her, and she had tears brimming to overflow down her cheeks. "I have to protect you no matter what. You are the only legacy Konoha has to count on."

Before either noticed they were already hugging and smiling with tears cascading down their cheeks.

"I love you too Tsunade. And you better not step down before I get back."

She nodded fiercely, and she could almost swear it was her younger brother smiling at her. "Naruto."

The morning that followed, Naruto woke hours early, and gathered all the personal items he and Sasuke had shared. He put them in a scroll, and hid them in his pack. After thoroughly cleaning the apartment, he made a pack of ramen, the treat bringing back nostalgic memories. He groaned. He was starving, but he felt too alone to enjoy it. He missed his Uchiha and even Sakura could make good company right now.

He wrote on a piece of paper a letter of good bye, addressed to each of his friends.

He smiled as each line was dedicated to someone else.

It read: Dear everybody, I, Uzumaki Naruto, the greatest ninja alive have to go train with Jiraiya. Anyway I know you guys will miss me like crazy, so while I'm gone, don't do anything too stupid, I will be future Hokage one day so it's an order.

To Sakura, you are like family to me, and I hope you remain as beautiful as cherry blossoms.

Um, Hinata, I hope you keep Neji under control… haha and Tenten, keep practicing that special move I showed you.

Lee, stop saying youthful in every sentence you say.

Shino, keep doing that bug thing that you do, Choji, I will be coming to sample that new dish you were telling me about, so make sure it's all perfect.

Shikamaru, I finally started to understand why you like to stare at clouds, doing it works, ne?

Ino, I always liked your blond hair, but don't take it personal or anything.

And Sai, keep trying to smile. :) Is that everybody, well I can't think of anyone else. Oh, someone tell that old man and his daughter to keep making precious ramen.

He was laughing softly in the quiet room as he re read the letter. He knew he didn't mention Kiba, but then he just couldn't bring himself to write anything. He shook his head. He had too much to say to him to write on paper.

Deciding it was now or never, he set everything proper and then creeped from the room. Knowing he wouldn't see it again for the next few years.

He hid his pack in a tree as he stared at the apartment Shino and Kiba shared. He knew it was still too early for either of them to be up, but he had to leave with a clear conscience.

He could feel the Kyubii protesting, urging him to leave things as they were, but he couldn't do that.

Before he actually got the courage to knock on the door, it opened. Kiba was standing there, his hair flopping over his face and only in a pair of loose fitting pants that left little to the imagination. Naruto however, could not tear his eyes from Kiba's dark eyes.

"Naruto?" It was all he could say. Guilt rose up like bile in his throat. The last time he had seen the blonde, he was forced by Hinata to look for him. The sight that had greeted him still made his heart squeeze when he remembered.

"I… I don't even know what time it is." Naruto began, and then he took a deep breath. "Listen, I didn't want to tell you, but…" the pain that reflected in his eyes made Kiba squirm slightly.

"It's all good. I don't want to know. Go home." Kiba could feel the strange tingling sensation behind his lids. He knew what the blonde was about to tell him, and he honestly did not want to remember what he had seen or caused.

"You raped me, a long time ago, and then I got pregnant. I lost the baby because I was careless. Look, I don't want you to ask for derails, I should have told you from the beginning, but I couldn't find the strength until now. Uh, there was a favor I needed to ask you." Naruto took the letter from his pocket. "Can you give this to everybody?"

Kiba was frozen to the spot; he could not believe the blonde had said all that so casually. "Wait, what?" He already knew that it was the truth, but this was not the confrontation he had expected. Actually glad that Shino was away on a mission, he stepped in the darkness and closed the door behind him.

"It's the truth, you can ask Tsunade or Sakura about it later, if you want." He held the paper out to Kiba, "I'm leaving Konoha for some time, to train or whatever, so this is good bye… Kiba."

Kiba took the piece of paper, then shook his head, "Listen Naruto, I haven't been honest with you either." He sighed, "I knew the truth… I found out a while back… before the accident, I was the one who found you along with Sakura. I don't know how to say how disgusted I am of myself. I should have been charged, and then dealt with by the elders, but you just pretended like nothing was wrong, and I didn't want to further upset you, so I stayed away. I can't ask for your forgiveness. But I am begging you," At this point, Kiba knelt silently; he bowed lowly, "Please don't think I'm not sorry. I'm so fucking guilty Naruto, I can't even smile any more, it's like a part of me died, when I found it all out. I'm a jerk, and I don't deserve to be your friend."

Naruto bit his lip then squeezed his eyes shut. "Whatever, I just didn't want to leave without telling you. I lost something, and it can't be replaced by words. I don't hate you or anything; good bye Kiba. And remember about the letter."

He turned around took off at a dead sprint, willing Kiba to stay away.

His feet led him to a house that seemed strangely familiar in the darkness of morning. He knocked on the door softly, hoping that no one really heard. It was too hard to be alone, but even harder to speak to someone.

Iruka rolled on the bed as the persistent knocks roused him. Glancing at the clock, it read 3:30 am. Careful not to disturb his partner, he got up and thrn pulled on a pair of pants.

Naruto leaned on the wall and breated deeply, trying to catch his breath. He listened to the footsteps inside as they approached the door.

Iruka poked his head outside, then immediately locked eyes with him.

"Come inside."

The warmth of the invitation made the younger ninja smile softly.

"Did I disturb you? I know its early."

"Naru- I've told you a million times that once you need me, I will always be available."

"Thanks. Iruka, I need to tell you something." He plopped on the couch as its location had been memorized after years of being in the same place.

"Before that, I'll make you some tea."

"Don't bother, my stomach burns." He sighed, "Is my sensei here?" He called out.

From the shadows, Kakashi stepped forward; his hair flopped over his eye and his bandana over his face. "I am here. What's the problem Naruto? This early morning visit is not your type of thing."

"Well, I'm leaving Konoha tomorrow. I just wanted you guys to hear it from me."

"This is strange, because Sasuke dropped by last night. He told me to believe in him, and to wait for a mini Naruto." Kakashi scratched at his cheek. "Whatever could this mean?"

"Ugh." Naruto cleared his throat. "I told Kiba about what he did. Kaka-sensei, I know that I haven't said it to you out loud before, but I'm sorry. It was just so bizarre… anyway, I told Kiba, and I'm a bit freaked put that he knew all along. Why didn't he just approach me then?"

"Naruto. He hurt you, and I'm sure he was scared shitless when he found out. Maybe he thought you would tell him when you thought he deserved to know… Kiba had always been more of a brawn person."

"I don't want to give him an excuse." Naruto complained. "If I knew that he knew, then we could have worked something out, I wouldn't have been so reckless."

"What's done is done." Kakashi inserted. "I t doesn't matter anymore that he knew, since you only just decided to tell him. It would have been better off if he didn't know about it at all."

"I guess you're right. I was stupid and I guess he was stupid too." Naruto laid a hand over his stomach. "Tsunade says I have phantom pains. She says that nothing is wrong with me, but my stomach has this unyielding pain… it's like a reminder that I had a nameless faceless person in there."

Iruka sat next to the boy, "We all have phantom pains, I still hear my parents screaming, sometimes. I look around wondering who's that helping person crying out, but then there are only smiling faces…" he rubbed the scar along his nose.

"And I see blood in the streets, and spraying from the shower." Kakashi cleard his throat, : I guess what we're trying to say is that we all have some gruesome things to remember. It makes us into adults. Our first kill, first sexual experience, the best friend lost in battle, children lost while were in battle. The list is endless, but it makes us strong. When we can still move on and find happiness in the people we love, we overcome it all."

Iruka was by this points rubbing his eyes and looking away. Naruto stared at him then nodded, his eyes wide and accepting of the spoken words. "You guys are the best. Thanks for always looking out for me."

"My sensei used to look out for me as well. I'm just doing what he would have done." Kakashi then yawned loudly, "I'm going back to bed. See you when I see you Naruto. And remember to keep your head up. Today signifies new beginnings, for you and for Sasuke, wherever he went, and I'm assuming that he's not with you since he watches over you like a hawk, an wouldn't let you out od his sight for such a long time, especially at this hour. He's a good kid, and so are you."

He walked away to give the two space to cry; he knew that's what they always did together.

After what seemed like forever, he was at the gates with Jiraiya.

"Oi, how long will it take to get there? I can't wait to get this over this!"

"A month." Was the plain answer. "We'll stop for rest at the next town."

"Hey, Pervy?" Naruto gazed at the sun as it started to rise.

"Hm?"

"I want to be strong."

"That's why we'll be training. You will first learn senjutsu, this will prevent you from using the Kyubii's chakra, by drawing natural energy from your surroundings." The sannin chuckled a bit, "It shouldn't take too long, since you have some appreciation of stillness. If anything, only a few months will be needed. The rasengan should be a breeze, I was told you mastered it by Kakashi?"

"Yea, it was my dad's technique."

"Correct. This experience should be a good one. Almost like a vacation then. The most important part will be controlling the Kyubii's chakra."

"Kurama and I are like ole enemies. He wont just be nice beause I asked him."

"You can talk to him, right? And communicate effectively?"

"Yes."

"Then it won't be a problem. After you have mastered senjutsu, then a special jounin will be sent to accompany us on our journey. He'll assist in helping you control the fox."

Naruto sighed loudly, "Jiraiya, have you ever lost anyone important?"

The toad sage made a thoughtful sound, "Well, I guess over the years, my heart has been broken several times… is this about the Uchiha brat?" he turned an eye on the blonde.

"Not entirely. There is a guilt and shame that's eating me from the inside. I can't help but wonder if it's normal to feel this way after losing someone you were supposed to protect."

"Naruto, your father was like my own son, the moment he became Hokage, I knew that I had lost him. I knew that he would die to protect Konoha, and I still feel guilty about his death. If I were the hokage… if I had been in the village when I was under attack, then maybe at least one of your parents would be alive."

"I'll be just like him… Minato, dad. But…" Naruto shook his head.

"It's ok if you don't want to talk about it."

Naruto kept silent as they drifted further away from his home. Hopping from branch to branch, he realized that his vision was foggy with tears, wiping them away before they could fall, he recalled the good bye words from his Sensei.

"Naruto," Jairaiya called, "I think a reverse summoning is in place. I'm deadly tired. Spent all night with a busty honey."

"Oh. Are you sure, I can manage the journey,"

"But I can't. Let's stop here for a while."

A few minutes later, they poofed on Mount Myoboku, and Naruto was greeted by toads.

A/N:

Sorry for the long update. I got consumed in watching black butler and one piece.

Remember, read and review.